Comcast blocking HBO Go on Playstation 4's, so much for "we want net neutrality too"

Jon · Mar 5, 2015

Comcast blocking HBO Go on Playstation 4's, so much for "we want net neutrality too"

http://motherboard.vice.com/read/comcast-may-be-infringing-net-neutrality-with-shady-hbo-go-deals

Somebody remind me again why Net Neutrality is a bad thing and these companies should be able to police themselves? Want no access to content you paid for?

HBO Go just made its way to Playstation 4—except Comcast subscribers can't get it. Customers have been complaining that they can’t watch HBO on their PS4, even though they pay for it—and there’s been no explanation from Comcast.

It appears, however, that Comcast blocking HBO Go on certain devices is a violation of the new net neutrality rules, experts say.

This sort of blocking isn't new. For Comcast subscribers, HBO doesn't work on Playstation 3 and it also doesn't work on the Amazon Fire streaming box. It didn't work on Roku, an internet-connected streaming box, until December, after Roku filed a complaint with the FCC about it. For customers who use other service providers, such as Verizon, Time Warner Cable, and AT&T, HBO Go works fine on Playstation 4, Playstation 3, Roku, and every other streaming device.

Jon · Mar 5, 2015

Re: Comcast blocking HBO Go on Playstation 4's, so much for "we want net neutrality t

I'll reply to myself and leave it up, even though or maybe especially because I am wrong

great post that describes what is happening

Actually, no, it still would be legal.
That's because Comcast isn't actually tampering with the data transmission over its infrastructure. There's no throttling or blocking on HBOGo itself. Instead, they've just locked up an authentication server that services account verifications for HBOGo on the PS4. Depending on the contractual agreements between HBO and Comcast, they might have the right to do it. But even if they're breeching contract, there's still nothing in US law that prevents this, even with FCC's new decision to regulate ISPs under Title II utility laws.
I mean, it's still scummy, and in practice we would consider it against net neutrality, but we don't actually have net neutrality laws in the US that cover this behavior. Net neutrality is not explicitly enforced. Instead, it's achieved as a byproduct of regulating ISPs as utilities.

Essentially Comcast is forcing users to use a Comcast set top box to access HBO and not allowing third party devices so in a technicality it wouldn't be a net neutrality violation. They don't block the content just don't allow third parties to authenticate to get the content. Slimey but still Okay within the new regulations

crimsonaudio · Mar 5, 2015

Re: Comcast blocking HBO Go on Playstation 4's, so much for "we want net neutrality t

mean, it's still scummy, and in practice we would consider it against net neutrality, but we don't actually have net neutrality laws in the US that cover this behavior. Net neutrality is not explicitly enforced. Instead, it's achieved as a byproduct of regulating ISPs as utilities.

And if companies like Comcast continue doing this, they'll guarantee that laws will eventually exist that keep them from doing anything like this. It's playing with fire, so to speak.

CrimsonNagus · Mar 6, 2015

Comcast blocking HBO Go on Playstation 4's, so much for "we want net neutrali...

I agree, this technically not a net neutrality issue, just a slimy cable company.

Speak with your wallet. Drop them and get DirecTV or Dish, HBO GO will work just fine on a number of devices then.

cuda.1973 · Mar 6, 2015

Re: Comcast blocking HBO Go on Playstation 4's, so much for "we want net neutrali...

"Net neutrality" was not conceived to solve issues like this. You may think it was. You may want to believe it was.

Hint: it wasn't.

Have VoIP, instead of a copper land line? Enjoy not paying the antiquated and unnecessary "subscribe line fee"? Kiss that good-bye. Bet it will be levied, but not to pay for copper lines, to rural subscribers. (No, it hasn't done that in years, despite that is what it is for. Instead, it was hijacked to pay for O'Dumbo Phones.) Since the 'Net is now a gubbament regulated entity (well, at least inside our borders, and not outside, much to O'Dumbo's dismay), they will declare access to it a basic human right, and folks like me will shell out money so deadbeats can get free high-speed access. Anyone wanna bet?

Say "hi" to more regulations, and taxation, and other forms of gubbament stepping on the neck of innovation. Internet sales tax.........closing down of websites that are critical of The Regime..........get ready for it. (Their idea of the new fairness doctrine: criticizing us is not fair, so you won't be allowed to do it. That is our doctrine.)

Of course, the incidence they used to come up with this statist takeover was some petty dispute, that was blown out of proportion, for political reasons. Is anyone really surprised?

I hope you are all happy now. Don't complain to me when you realize they pulled the wool over your eyes.

92tide · Mar 6, 2015